The Vegas race was a success for our team. We finished in under 28 hours and everyone is happy and home.
I have some photos to post, but I feel like I can't talk about the race without first including the sad news that a runner was killed during it. Our second van would have been finishing up their final legs when it happened so we heard about it after we got to the finish line as the rumor, and then confirmation, made its way around. It happened in Henderson on Saturday morning. Jeremy Kunz was giving his runner support on the side of the road when he was struck by a drunk driver and killed. More details here. This was his third Ragnar relay and he was on a team with his wife and other family members. It was somber news and the last thing you imagine happening during an event that seems so light and fun. The nice thing is that there seems to be really lovely support to the family. There are so many people connected to the Ragnar series, so many people who have participated in races, that it feels like a community is really coming together to offer condolences and asking about ways to help.
After the race our Osmonds team went on with our post-race activities...showers and naps and laughing about each others' sore legs walks, eating a rewarding and hefty dinner and sleeping like rocks on Saturday night in amazing hotel beds. It was probably pretty close to how other teams spent their time too. And normally no one would have thought twice about it. But I think most of us ended up thinking more than twice about it since we all knew it ended so different for team Wanabees. I know there is a lot of heartache and a lot of questions in the future for the Kunz family and friends. And I know there isn't any immediate good that comes from a tragedy like this one. But driving home yesterday I was aware and thankful that the van full of faces I went with were all coming home with me too. I have been more thoughtful about our safety during this race and the 4 we've done before it. I am touched by competitors and strangers rallying around a mourning family. They are all nice reminders that while mortality is always close by, so is kindness.
2 comments:
I haven't been able to stop thinking about this. being on dark roads in the middle of the night waiting for a runner is such a fun part of the race and it breaks my heart that something we have done for years ended that way for the Kunz family. i have been obsessively checking that facebook page and it really is touching to see the reactions. Those races have meants a lot to our family over the years, isn't it nice to know that we are running with such good people? glad you guys had a good time though-and that you all came home from Vegas.
Very sweet and true, Em.
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